Ten suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Lagos Police Command during a raid of an internet fraud (Yahoo) training facility at Iju.

Those arrested, the police, were four Yahoo experts and six trainees.

In a statement, the spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, listed the  experts as Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26, and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25, while the trainees were Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12, and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.       

Hundeyin said the students were undergoing cybercrime and fraud training at the illegal facility, adding that they were recruited from Anambra State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes. The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.

“All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further discreet investigation and prosecution.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal and illegal activities took place.

“The owner of the facility is hereby warned in his own interest to turn himself in immediately at the SCID Panti from wherever he is hiding.

“The Lagos State Police Command will ensure that all suspects are charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.   

“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him.

“Consequently, parents and guardians are hereby strongly advised to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into falling into criminal activities.’’

He urged victims of the syndicate to come to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints.’’

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.

Hundeyin quoted his boss as assuring Lagosians of the command’s commitment to combat crimes, including cybercrime tagged “yahoo,”. and advising residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the Police.